Only 4 percent of those surveyed gave economic factors as the reason for terminations.

Need more evidence that pruning overhead has slipped as a prelude to pink slips? Asked if a place could somehow be found for "an excellent worker," only 3 percent answered "no."

That offers hope for people with drive. On the other hand, some of these new justifications for firing could promote hair-trigger terminations. Don't quite fit the corporate culture? Maybe you're an "attitude" case. See ya!

Blame it, in part, on the free-agent job-hoppers. But when times get lean again, it could be easier for bosses to wield the ax.